EVENT REGISTRATION

Lead the Change Heal the Future

Kansas City, Missouri
April 10 to April 12, 2026

Answering a call that began over 10 years ago, the Bluford Healthcare Leadership Institute (BHLI) is hosting its inaugural conference in Kansas City, “Lead the Change, Heal the Future.”

For two days in April 2026, we will bring BHLI alumni together with our friends, supporters, and university partners to network and nurture the skills of all in attendance to be leaders of change for a better future.

We look forward to hearing the leadership stories of our alumni and network of local and national guests. We will enjoy a world-class performance by a Tony Award-winning actor, a nationally recognized speaker presenting on contemporary issues in the healthcare sector, and insight from talent specialists. This event will be inspiring, energizing, and in true Kansas City fashion, “all that jazz.”

Secure your spot at this transformative event. Embrace this unique opportunity to connect and engage with our alumni scholars and invited guests to help lead the future of healthcare.

John W. Bluford, III, MBA, LFACHE
President and Founder of the Bluford Healthcare Leadership Institute

John W Bluford

Registration Details

Coming in from out of town?
Book your hotel room first.

The Fontaine Hotel, Country Club Plaza,
901 W. 48th Street,
Kansas City, Mo
BOOK YOUR RESERVATION

*All guests who need hotel accommodations are asked to stay at the Fontaine. Transportation between conference events is guaranteed for out-of-town guests staying at the Fontaine

Event Registration

Register Today

Performance and Keynote Speaker Biographies

Sarah JonesSarah Jones

Sarah Jones is a Tony Award-winning solo performer hailed by The New York Times as a “master of the genre.”

She is the creator and host of the podcast ” America, Who Hurt You?”, which features Sarah and the multicultural characters she’s known and interviews with celebrity guests and experts through a trauma-informed lens on politics. She is also the director, writer, producer, and star of Sell/Buy/Date (2022), a film which amplifies voices of people in the sex industry and their struggle for intersectional justice (Executive Produced by Meryl Streep.) On stages from Broadway to The White House, and around the world as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Sarah’s characters and storytelling reflect her commitment to a pluralist vision of social justice. She has given four main-stage TED Talks with millions of views, the latest on reframing “cancel culture”, and she also starred as Yasmin in the Netflix series On the Verge. Her next project is “The Cost of Not Caring”, a new one-woman show in collaboration with Caring Across Generations. The show features a multicultural, multigenerational range of characters exploring both the humor and the heartache of Caregivers and those receiving Care in America, which ultimately is all of us.

Bruce SiegelBruce Siegel, MD, MPH

Immediate Past President, America’s Essential Hospitals

With an extensive background in health care management, policy, and public health, Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, had the blend of experience necessary to lead America’s Essential Hospitals and its members through the changing health care landscape and into a sustainable future. With more than 400 members, America’s Essential Hospitals is the only national organization representing hospitals committed to serving those who face financial and social barriers to care.

After joining America’s Essential Hospitals in 2010, Siegel dramatically grew the association as it strengthened its advocacy, research, and education efforts. His intimate knowledge of member needs came in part from his direct experience as president and CEO of two member systems: New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation and Tampa General Healthcare. Just before joining America’s Essential Hospitals, Siegel served as director of the Center for Health Care Quality and professor of health policy at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. He also served as New Jersey’s commissioner of health.

Among his many accomplishments, Siegel led groundbreaking work on quality and equity, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He is a past chair of the National Quality Forum board and the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality. Modern Healthcare recognized him as one of the “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” from 2011 to 2019 and 2022 to 2025; among the “50 Most Influential Clinical Executives” from 2022 to 2025; among the “Top 25 Diversity Leaders in Healthcare” in 2021; one of the “50 Most Influential Physician Executives” from 2012 to 2018; and among the “Top 25 Minority Executives in Healthcare” in 2014 and 2016. He also was named one of the “50 Most Powerful People in Healthcare” by Becker’s Hospital Review in 2013 and 2014.

Siegel earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, a doctor of medicine from Cornell University Medical College, and a master’s degree in public health from The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health.

Deanna BanksDeanna Banks

Principal, Senior Client Partner
Furst Group
An MPI Company

Deanna Banks is a trusted talent advisor with more than 25 years of experience as a human capital consultant and thought leader on diversity. Her practice is comprised of many of the industry’s leading hospital systems, academic medical centers, trade associations, and health insurance and managed government programs (Medicare and Medicaid). Deanna is skilled at partnering and consulting with boards of directors and Chief Executive Officers on executive recruitment and retention, succession planning, and organizational and leadership development.

Her acuity in talent mapping and leadership development makes her a valuable asset to her clients beyond executive search, where she is experienced in identifying Chief Executive Officers, Chief Human Resources Officers, Clinical Division Heads, Chief Finance Officers, and
other senior executives. She works with many of the hospitals and health systems that achieve high rankings from U.S. News & World Report, as well as other industry lists.

She continues her mission of leading cultural diversity initiatives by educating leaders and organizations to successfully attract, promote, and retain ethnically diverse executives. Deanna has given presentations on executive development and other leadership topics at the Wharton School of Business (University of Pennsylvania), the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), and the Bluford Healthcare Leadership Institute. She also serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations including the MD Anderson Leadership Advisory Board.

Deanna joined Furst Group in 1998 as a Vice President and now, as a Principal, has an ownership interest in the firm. She founded the Washington, DC, office and is frequently called upon to speak or moderate industry panels. Her extensive background with AHIP (formerly American Association of Health Plans) included the management of two prominent executive training programs in the industry, the Executive Leadership Program and the Minority Management Development Program.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland.

Mercedes GivensMercedes Givens, CFP®

Partner / Private Wealth Manager
Creative Planning

Mercedes serves as a Private Wealth Manager, working directly with his clients to create and maintain a customized financial plan addressing all aspects of a healthy financial life including investments, tax planning, risk management, retirement, employee benefits and estate planning.

Mercedes brings more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Creative Planning, he worked as a wealth advisor for clients at a major regional bank. Mercedes has spent his entire career in the financial services industry and has developed a passion for helping clients achieve their goals.

Mercedes earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics for Business Management from Occidental College. He is also a Certified Financial Planner® professional as designated by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

Event Details

Friday, April 10

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Informal welcome for early arrivals at The Fontaine Hotel

* Hotel check-in at 4:00 pm. Request early check-in, if required.

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Welcome Reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres and live music by William Matthews and Friends
The Fontaine Hotel Rooftop Lounge, Restaurant & Patio @ 901 W. 48th Street

Saturday, April 11

8:00 am Buses depart The Fontaine with hotel guests for Stowers Institute

8:15 am Continental breakfast at Stowers Institute
Local guests arrive at Stowers Institute @ 1000 E. 50th St.

9:15 am All guests seated inside the Stowers Institute auditorium for 9:30 am performance

9:30 am The Cost of Caring: Tony Award actor Sarah Jones highlighting contemporary issues in healthcare

11:00 am All guests depart for Kauffman Foundation Conference Center

11:30 am Luncheon at Kauffman Foundation Conference Center @ 4801 Rockhill Road

12:30 pm A Nonlinear Career Path: Lessons to Lead the Future: Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, Immediate Past President and CEO, America’s Essential Hospitals

2:00 pm Redefining Your Success Beyond the Traditional Career Ladder: BHLI Alumni Panel facilitated by Deanna Banks, Principal, Furst Group

3:15 pm Financial Planning and Generational Wealth Advising: Tools, Precautions, and Preparations for the Long Term: Mercedes Givens, CFP, Partner / Private Wealth Manager, Creative Planning

4:15 pm Buses and guests depart Kauffman Foundation Conference Center

6:45 pm Buses depart The Fontaine with hotel guests for The Intercontinental Hotel @ 401 Ward Parkway

7:00 pm Local guests arrive at The Intercontinental Hotel (complimentary parking)
Celebration: Making New and Renewing Old Friendships: Buffet reception with live music by Ron Gutierrez and Friends

9:30 pm Buses and guests depart The Intercontinental Hotel

Sunday, April 12*

* Optional

8:30 am Buses depart The Fontaine with hotel guests for St. James United Methodist Church

8:45 am Local guests arrive at St. James @ 5540 Wayne Avenue

9:00 am to 10:30 am Church service at St. James

10:45 am Buses depart St. James to The Fontaine Hotel

11:00 am Check-out from The Fontaine Hotel*

* Request late check-out, if required.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the cost of registration and attendance?

A: There is no fee to register for the conference. All out-of-town registrants are responsible for their hotel accommodations at The Fontaine and transportation to and from the conference.

Q: What is included in my conference registration?

A: Our no-fee registration includes access to all speakers’ events, as well as meals indicated on the event schedule.

Q: Will there be transportation available for me?

A: Transportation between conference events is provided for out-of-town registrants staying at The Fontaine; however, guests traveling to Kansas City via a flight will need to arrange transport for themselves to and from the airport. The address of The Fontaine Hotel is 901 W 48th St, Kansas City, MO 64112.

Complimentary parking available for all local guests at The Fontaine, Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kauffman Conference Center, and The Intercontinental Hotel.

Q: What should I wear?

A: The attire for the weekend is executive casual (jacket for men/no tie required for all Friday – Sunday events). Dress professionally with comfort in mind!


For more information, please contact : bhli@blufordinstitute.org